  Comedy
This week: Serious Business Edited by: Robert Waltz  
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"I had thought - I had been told - that a 'funny' thing is a thing of a goodness. It isn't. Not ever is it funny to the person it happens to. Like that sheriff without his pants. The goodness is in the laughing itself. I grok it is a bravery... and a sharing... against pain and sorrow and defeat."
- Valentine Michael Smith
(Robert Heinlein,
Stranger in a Strange Land) |
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Serious Business
I didn't mean for my NaNoWriMo novel to be a comedy.
I never meant to be a comedy writer, anyway. I always wanted to write fantasy and science fiction. So, my previous NaNo novel was science fiction; this one is fantasy; specifically, modern or "urban" fantasy (don't get excited; there are NO vampires in it).
So I used as writing style inspiration such greats as Charles de Lint and Neil Gaiman, neither of which is known for being able to crack a joke. (Neil co-authored the humorous fantasy novel Good Omens with Terry Pratchett; you can guess who wrote the funny parts.)
Unfortunately, I'm me, not Gaiman or de Lint, and I wasn't two pages into the book before I cracked a joke.
And the jokes kept coming.
The trouble is, I've had the rough idea for this novel's ending figured out in my head for some time now, and there is nothing funny about it. Also, the main antagonist is about as evil as it is possible to get. I'm talking punching pregnant women, killing puppies and voting Republican here. Not a whole lot of opportunity for humor there. And yet, the protagonists keep saying funny stuff.
I just can't help it.
But then some Bad Things started happening, and the story began to edge away from humor. And yet, I hope I find the opportunity to inject a little bit here and there.
Why? Because even the most tragic story needs its counterpoint. If I manage to take the reader from the depths of disgust and horror at this bad guy's actions and motivations, to the height of humor as someone falls down or farts (okay, those aren't actually funny, but I don't want to give away TOO many of my secrets), then I've succeeded as an author.
I just hope it stays intentionally funny, rather than having something funny pointed out to me later. That would be embarrassing.
So, what do you do when you find humor creeping into what is otherwise a very serious story?
My advice: let it happen. You can always edit around it later. |
A few words from our comics:
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Last time, in "Comedy Newsletter (October 19, 2011)" , I talked about the importance to humor of bad grammar. I guess I finally found a way to elicit comments! (See comment below for what I mean):
Mummsy  : Thanks for writing about my pet peeve. His name is Steve. He makes me heave. And now I'll leave.
Umm... okay.
Jeff  : Your "First Law of the Internet" reminds me of a joke I read about the best way to maximize the amount of feedback is to make a polarizing political or religious statement with an obvious factual error and pepper it with spelling mistakes. 
Apparently, it works!
BIG BAD WOLF is Howling  : At lest we have grama. 
[submitted item: "Take Your Son to Work" [E]]
And marriage isn't a word; it's a sentence.
Maryann  : Hey y'all, I want a cheezburger, too! LOL
I just couldn't keep my 'fingers shut'...I had to comment on how much fun your newsletter was. 
Thanks for highlighting one of my items! ~~Maryann
Thanks for the feedback. You keep writin' 'em; I'll keep highlightin' 'em.
Katya the Poet  : Hey, my Grammer eats shoots and leaves!
I didn't know Kelsey was a koala!
AndrewG  : I do agree with your views on grammar and spelling! It's like learning any skill or craft; from playing football, painting or playing music.
Learning the basics shouldn't have to stifle your creativity!
And, as I think you are saying, respect is important in a writer, whether you are writing comedy or serious non-fiction.
My item is an attempt to ponder on why we actually consider something to be funny.
Andrew
Yep, like with art, learn the basics first, then learn to ignore them.
benjamin sackey  : what is the rundown?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0327850/
LJPC - the tortoise : Hi Robert! Great NL. I must admit that reading others typos gives me quite a bit of pleasure and that rush of superiority you mentioned. (Although I find my own not quite so funny.)
"Keep your fingers shut" -- great line!
-- Laura
Yep, nothing more embarrassing than proving Waltz's First Law yourself!
And that's it for me for November - hope all my US readers have a wonderful Thanksgiving. See you next month! Until then,
LAUGH ON!!!
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Comedy: November 15, 2011 Issue [#4720]
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